S-VHS vs. D-VHS

[scorsesefan]

I'm working on a doc and the subject has a lot of vhs footage. Some of it is pretty messy, and I thought that maybe if I imported into FCP using a S-VHS or D-VHS player, it might improve the look of the footage. Am I way off on this, and if not, which is the better deck to use, or does it make a difference?
thanks

 

[TimurCivan]

a good deck can make a difference

 

[novelt]

well a good deck is a good choice, but if the footage is bad it won't matter how pristine the deck is..."i burnt toast if i put it on a clean plate will...(fill in your own joke)"

 

[scorsesefan]

Which leads me to my next question... If I buy a S-VHS deck with TBC and or DNR, will THIS improve the footage?

 

[David Jimerson]

D-VHS will make no difference.

 

[scorsesefan]

yeah, I figured it wouldn't, but what about TBC and DNR?

 

[Angus_Findlay]

A TBC is a very good idea - it will help stabilize the video, leading to less dropped frames and sync errors. Great for old, stretched-out tapes. They can fix most flagging and jitter issues.

DNR is just a minor blur. It doesn't do much for the noise, and it really cuts down on sharpness.

 

[mikkowilson]

Other features (like TBC) aside, a S-VHS deck will do nothing special for a VHS tape over a VHS deck. VHS in = VHS out. When you put a VHS tape into a VHS deck, it will simply switch over to (non "S") VHS mode.

- Mikko